Vacuum tube mounting



Aug. 14, 1945. R. B. HOFFMAN 2,381,905

VACUUM TUBE MOUNTING Filed Feb. 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

R055 s. HoF/:M4N

.ATTOREY All2- 14, 1945- R. B. HOFFMAN VACUUM TUBE MOUNTING Filed Feb. 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. ROSS B. HOFF MHN Patented Aug. 14, 1945 VACUUM TUBE MOUNTING Ross B. Hoffman, East Orange, N. J., assignor to Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, 1943, Serial No. 474,977

(Cl. 25o-27.5)

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in vacuum Atube mountings, and is particularly directed to an arrangement for making a uidtight connection to and .about theanode of a vacuum tube.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved detachable coupling of general application.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved detachable coupling which is especially adapted for use as a mounting for the anode of a vacuum tube.

A further object of this invention is to provide a detachable mounting'for the anode of a vacuum tube, which at the same time serves to conduct a. cooling fluid to and about the anode.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a detachable bayonet mounting for the anode of a vacuum tube, by means of which a socket is positively clamped to the anode while lthe bayonet connection serves to position the parts.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form of mounting, taken together with a modification thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal view partly in section of a preferred form of mounting for the anode of a vacuum tube, in accordance with the present invention; l

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal view through a modified type of mounting; and

Fig. k4 isa transverse section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

As illustrated in the drawings, the anode of a vacuum tube, the remaining elements of which have not been illustrated, is shown atv I0. This is adapted to be connected to an anode line in the form of a hollow metal cylinder I2. For the purposes o1' making this connection, the end face of the anode I has attached thereto the flange I4 of a compound ring I5. The other end of the ring is provided with a plurality of arcuate segments I6 shown in Fig. 2, for example, as being three in number. To the end of the anode line I2 is attached an externally threaded ring I8 which may be fastened to the end of the cylinder by means such as screws 20. The front end of the ring I8 isformed with an inwardly directed flange 22 which, together with the lateral face 23 of the ring I8 forms an internal annular groove. The inwardly directed flange 22 of the ring I8 is provided with a plurality of arcuately shaped, circumferentially spaced openings 24 which permit entry of the arcuate segments I6 into the internal annular groove. It will be clear that when the segments I6 pass through the openings 24 and the anode is then rotated, the anode and the line I2 will be locked together except for vthe fact that in accordance with the present invention the Width of the segments I6 are less than the width of the annular groove, so that there will be a longitudinal play between the two parts.

Screwed onto the ring I8 is an internally threaded ring 26 which has an inwardly directed flange 2'I which ts into the space between the flange I4 of the compound ring I5 and the flange 22 on the ring I8.

The llange 22 forming one lateral face of the internal annular groove of the ring I8 has projecting longitudinally therefrom a plurality of stop pins 28 and 30,'but pins 30 are of such length that they limit the rotation of the segments I6 within the annular groove, these pins extending substantially the width of this groove. The pins 28, however, are shorter, permitting rotation oi the segments I6 so long as they are pressed against'the lateral face 23 of the groove. If, now, thesegments' I6, attached tothe anode I0, are inserted into the annular groove through the openings 24 and are rotated until they rest against the pins 30, the position indicated in Fig. 2, and the ring 26 is screwed outwardly on the ring I8, the flange 21 on the ring 26 pressing against the ilange I4 on the ring I5 will move the anode I0 outwardly, and with it the segments I6, until the latter will be pressing against the opposite side of the annular groove. In this position the segments I6 will fall between the stops 28 and 30 and the two parts, the anode I0 and the line I2 will be rigidly locked together. Longitudinal movement between the parts is prevented by the ac- ,tion of the ring 26 having its ange 21 pressing against the flange I4, 'while relative rotation is prevented by the positioning of the segments I6 between the stops 28 and 30.

The invention is particularly adapted for use lwhere the anode line I2 serves not only as an electrical conductor to the anode but also as a guide for a cooling fluid, such as air. This is particularly true if the anode is of the type illustrated, being provided at its end with a plurality of radial fins 32 positioned about a central core 34 with cooling channels 36 between the fins. If

the une I2 1s provided with a suitable air imei 50, it will be seen that this air moving within the line I2 will pass into the core 34 of the anode nd outwardly through the cooling channels 36.-

f'he type of mounting described above, is sufllciently air-tight for this purpose.

One of the advantages of the above-described construction lies in the fact thatf a tightl positive connection can be made without the use of separate contacts which have been proposed, for example, in prior art arrangements. The bayonets, in this case in the form of the arcuate segments I0, function solely to prevent relative rotation between the two parts, the tightness of the joint being brought about by the action of the ring 26, as described above.

The invention may be adapted for use in connection with Water-cooled anodes, as is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case the anode ||0 extends partly within the anode line I I2 which is again in the form of a hollow metal cylinder. The compound ring I I is, in this case, attached about the anode instead of on the end thereof and its flange ||4 extends radially outwardly beyond the periphery of the ring I I8. The latter is attached to the end of the cylinder |I2, similarly in the manner shown in Fig. 1, by means such as screws |20. The annular groove on the other end of the ring ||8, is in this case formed by two spaced Vinwardly directed flanges |22 and |23, the flange |22 being formed with arcuate through openings |24 to permit entry of the segments ||6 on the ring ||5 into the internal annular groove. Due to the large diameter of the flange I I4 on the ringr IIS, the internally threaded ring |26 on the externally threaded ring ||8 does not need an inwardly directed flange but may press against the flange ||4 either directly or preferably, through means such as a rubber gasket |36. The connection can be tightened and the parts locked in position in the same manner as the form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The flange |22 on the ring ||8 is again provided with long stop pins |30 and`short stop pins |28, between which the segments I6 are locked when the ring |26 presses against the flange ||4 through the gasket |36 and presses these segments I I6, against the flange |22. In accordance with a preferred arrangement, the anode line |I2 is in this case, provided with a guiding vane |38 forming a water cooling channel |40 next to and about the anode |I0, and a return channel |42, which may be adjacent the inner surface of the ring ||8 and the cylinder ||2. The rubber gasket |36, in this case. makes the jointv water-tight.

While the` mounting forming the basis of the present invention has been specifically described in connection with the attachment of the anode of a vacuum tube to its anode line which, at the same time, serves to direct a cooling medium to and about the anode, it is pointed out that the joint itself is not limited to the vacuum tube art, but is capable of use in other arrangements where a tight joint between two parts is desired, as will be appreciated by those skilled in this art. The joint is, however, specifically designed for the purposes described and permits a strong tight and rigid, butgyet simple connection, a combination which was not obtainable by prior art arrange ments.A Accordingly, while I have described my invention and a particular modification thereof with some particularity in order that it may be clearly understood, it is pointed out that this description is madev only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects and the accompanying claims.

Iclaim:

1. A mounting for vacuum tubes and the like comprising a metal cylinder, an externally threaded ring having means forming an internal annular groove at its outer end, attached to the end of the cylinder, said groove-forming means being provided with a plurality of arcuately shaped, circumferentially spaced openings connecting with said groove, a vacuum tube anode structure, a compound ring attached to said anode structure, said ring having an outwardly radially extending flange at one end and a plurality of arcuately shaped. circumferentially spaced, radially extending segments projecting from its other end and adapted to t into said annular groove through said arcuate openings, whereby, when said anode structure is rotated, the arcuate segments will be out of alignment with said arcuate openings and the segments will be locked in the annular groove, the width of said segments being less than the width of the groove so as to permit longitudinal play of the segments in the groove, and an internally threaded ring screwed on said externally threaded ring and adapted to contact the flange on said compound ring, whereby, when said segments are in the groove and said internally threaded ring is screwed outwardly, the anode structure is moved away from the externally threaded ring by the action of the internally threaded ring on the radial flange of said compound ring and said segments are thus positioned and locked against a lateral face of the annular groove.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which said compound ring is attached to the end face of the anode.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which said compound ring is attached about the anode.

4. The combination according to claim l, in which the said lateral face of the groove is provided With a first set of pins adapted to limit the rotation of said segments therein, and with a second set of pins of a shorter length than the first set of pins, permitting rotation of said segments in their unlocked position, butof suflicient length to prevent rotation of said segments after the latter have been rotated against the first set .of pins and positioned against the lateral face of the groove by the action of said internally threaded ring.

5. The combination according to claim l, in which said metal cylinder is hollow, and the end of said anode structure has a hollow core in communication with the hollow cylinder and is provided with a plurality'of radially extending cooling passages opening into said hollow core.

6. The combination according to claim 1, in which said metal cylinder is hollow and in which said anode structure .projects into the cylinder, in combination with means within said metal cylinder, forming passages for a cooling medium about the surface of the anode structure.

7. A mounting for vacuum tubes and the like comprising a hollow metal cylinder, an externally threaded ring attached at one end to an end of said cylinder, and having means at its other end forming an internal annular groove provided with a plurality of arcuately shaped, circumferentially spaced openings connecting with said groove, a vacuum tube anode structure, a compound ring attached to the end of said anode structure, said ring having an outwardly extending. radial flange adjacent the anode structure and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending arcuate segments projecting from its other end and adapted to fit into said annular groove through said arcuate openings, whereby, when said anode structure is rotated, the arcuate segments will be out of alignment with the arcuate openings and the arcuate segments will be locked in the annular groove, the width of said segments being less than the width of the groove so as to permit longitudinal play of the segments in the groove, and between the 'end of the externally threaded ring and the fiange on said compound ring, and an internally threaded ring screwed on said externally threaded ring, said internally threaded ring having an inwardly directed fiange positioned between the end of the externally threaded ring and the flange on said compound ring, whereby, when said segments are in said groove and said internal ring is screwed outwardly on said externally threaded ring, the anode structure is moved away from the externally threaded ring by the action of said inwardly directed ange against the radial flange of the compound ring, and said seg- `ments are thus positioned and locked against a lateral face of the annular groove.v l

8. The combination according to claim '7, in which the said lateral face of the groove is provided 'with a first set of pins adapted to limit the rotation of said segments therein, and with a second set of pins of a shorter length than the first set of pins, permitting rotation of'said segments in their unlocked position, but of suilicient length to prevent rotation of said segments after the latter have been rotated against the ilrst set of pins and positioned against the lateral face of the groove by the action of said internally threaded ring.

9. 'Ihe combination according to claim 7, in which said anode structure has a. hollow core in communication with the hollow cylinder, and is provided with a plurality of radially extending cooling passages opening into said hollow core, in combination with means for supplying a cooling fluid to within said hollow cylinder.

10. A mounting for vacuum tubes and the like, comprising a hollow metal cylinder, an externally threaded ring attached at one end to one end of said cylinder and having a pair of longitudinally spaced, inwardly directed flanges at f its other end forming between them an internal annular groove, the outer of said flanges being provided with a plurality of arcuately shaped, circumferentially spaced openingsl connecting with said groove, a vacuum tube anode structure positioned within said hollow metal cylinder, a

compound ring attached about said anode structure, said ring having a flange at one end extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said externally threaded ring, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extendingarcuate segments projecting from its other end and Aadapted to flt into the/annular groove through andl said outwardly extending fiange, whereby, when said segments are in the groove and said internally threaded ring is screwed outwardly on said externally threaded ring, it pushes the anode structure through said gasket and outwardly extending flange, and said segments are thus positioned and locked against the outer inwardly directed flange forming a lateral face of the said groove.

11. The combination according to claim 10 in which the inwardly directed flange forming a lateral face of the groove is provided with a rst set of pins'adapted to limit the rotation of the segments therein, and with a second set of pins of a shorter length than the first set of pins, permitting rotation of said segments in their unlocked position, but of sufflcientlength to prevent rotation of said segments after the latter have been rotated against the first set of pins and positioned against the lateral face of the groove by the action of said internally threaded ring.

l2. The combination according to claim 10, in combination with means within said hollow cylinder forming a cooling passage about the enclosed anode structure. l

-13. A detachable coupling for interconnecting two members, comprising an externally threaded ring having means forming an internal annular groove at its outer end, attached to the end of one of said members, said .groove-forming means being provided with a plurality of arcuately shaped, circumferentially spaced openings connecting with the said groove, a compound ring attached to the other member, said ring having an outwardly radially extending ange at one end and a plurality of arcuately shaped, circumferentially spaced radially extending segments projecting from its other end and adapted to fit into the annular groove through the said arcuate openings, whereby, when said members are relatively rotated, the arcuate segments will be out of alignment with the said arcuate openings and the segments will be locked in the annular groove, the width of said segments being less than the width of the groove so as to permit longitudinal play of the segments in the groove, and an internally threaded ring screwed on said externally threaded ring and adapted to contact the ange on said compound ring, whereby when said segments are in the-said groove and said internally threaded ring is screwed outwardly, the two members are moved away from one another by the action ofthe internally threaded ring on the radial flange oi' said compound ring, said movement being limited by the contacting of said segments against a lateral face of the said annular groove.

14. 'I'he combination according to claim 13, in which the said lateral face of the groove is pro vided with a iirst set of pins adapted to limit the rotation of said segments therein, and with a second set of pins of a shorter length than the first set of pins, permitting rotation of said segments in their unlocked position, but of sulcient length to prevent rotation of said segments after the latter have been rotated againsty the first set of pins and positioned against the lateral face of the groove by the action of said internally threaded ring.

ROSS B. HOFFMAN. 

